The Somalia Fisheries Forum (SFF 2019) brought together over 300 participants, including fishers, academics, business owners, and policymakers from the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali regions to advance small-scale fisheries across the country. The forum was co-hosted by the Puntland regional government and the Federal Government of Somalia. SFF 2019 culminated with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Secure Fisheries and the FGS Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to ensure that the work of Secure Fisheries supports the goals of the Somalia National Development Plan and promotes successful small-scale fisheries. This partnership includes:
- expanding fish catch data-collection efforts, as through Project Kalluun,
- supporting compliance reporting to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, and
- collaborating on research reports, web and video communications, and coordination of fisheries projects including an IUU Fishing Taskforce.
Secure Fisheries’ activities will benefit from support by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and, in turn, Secure Fisheries will support the growth of the ministry’s technical capacity, including data analysis and resource mapping, and will help coordinate research to promote development and investment in Somali fisheries and businesses. The partnership aims to promote a sustainable, successful, and resilient fishing sector in Somalia.
